I remember reading the following observation somewhere. If one says, in abstract, “I do not always manage to do the thing I know is right; I occasionally have moral lapses”, then people will nod knowingly and empathize — they will admit the same about themselves. But if one mentions anything specific — “sometimes I find it hard not to be racist”, “sometimes I hit my child” — then one gets a reaction of “You monster! What the hell is wrong with you?” etc., as here.

And yet I think that, faced as we all are with the task of living according to our values, it is discussions of the latter sort that are more valuable and instructive.

(Recalled where I encountered this: https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-obvious-truths-that-are-... )